• According to the results of a survey conducted by the Rating Group among adult residents of Lviv, Ivano-Frankivsk, Ternopil, and Lutsk who worked in Poland during the past five years, more than half of those with experience of labor migration to the neighboring country traveled there for work no more than three times (25% no more than once, 34% two to three times). Thirteen percent reported traveling for work from three to five times, 18% more than five times, and 7% said they work there almost on a permanent basis. Slightly greater experience of staying abroad was recorded among men, older respondents (aged 51 and over), and individuals with secondary education.
• More than half of respondents stated that the longest period they stayed working in Poland was from one to three months (9% less than one month, 49% from one to three months). One quarter said their longest stay was from three to six months, 14% from six months to one year, and 3% worked for more than one year. The largest share of those who stayed the longest in Poland is among the oldest respondents and those who had traveled there for work more than three times.
• Seventy-seven percent of respondents stated that in Poland they mainly performed physical labor, 16% worked in the service sector, 3% were engaged in intellectual work, and only 1% held managerial positions. Men almost universally (89%) performed physical labor, with only 6% working in services. Among women, 63% performed physical labor and 28% worked in services. The higher the level of education, the more often respondents found jobs in the service sector or were engaged in intellectual work.
• Thirty-four percent worked in agriculture in Poland, 32% in construction or repair work. Eight percent performed domestic work, 7% worked in the restaurant business, 5% in hotels, and 4% cared for elderly people, persons with disabilities, or others. Three percent were engaged in other types of activity, and less than 3% worked in other service jobs. Women and the oldest respondents more often worked in agriculture, while men, youth, and middle-aged respondents more often worked in construction and repair. Compared to men, women more often worked in domestic jobs, the restaurant sector, care for the elderly and people with disabilities, childcare, and services. The higher the level of education, the more often labor migrants found jobs not related to agriculture or construction.
• More than 80% searched for work through relatives and acquaintances: 66% through close contacts in Ukraine and 21% in Poland. Only 10% used Ukrainian employment agencies and 3% Polish agencies. Six percent found work through advertisements in Ukrainian media, 2% through Polish media, and 5% via social networks (Facebook, LinkedIn, etc.). Less than 1% used state employment services in Ukraine or Poland.
• The main channel for job search for all respondent categories is primarily close contacts in Ukraine. At the same time, younger respondents more often than others used Ukrainian agencies, advertisements in domestic media, and social networks.
• Fifty-three percent of respondents named geographical proximity as the main reason for choosing Poland (rather than another country) for employment. Forty-four percent indicated higher wages as the motivation, 34% a low language barrier, and 30% the presence of family members or acquaintances already in Poland. Twenty-one percent chose Poland because there are more job offers there than in other countries. Stable political and economic conditions, cultural and historical proximity, or the inability to choose another European country were cited by 6–7%. Three percent saw opportunities for education or better prospects for personal development. Higher wages and a larger number of job offers more often motivated youth and middle-aged respondents, and somewhat more often men. Women more often chose Poland due to the low language barrier and the presence of relatives there.
• Thirty-nine percent believe that the most difficult aspect of working in Poland is prolonged separation from family. Thirty-two percent complain about long working hours per day, 28% about difficult working conditions, and 24% about the lack of social protection for Ukrainian labor migrants. Fourteen percent consider negative attitudes toward Ukrainians by Poles a problem, 13% administrative formalities in document processing, 12% the language barrier, 9% lack of days off, 8% poor living conditions, 4% conflicts with supervisors or employers, and 3% conflicts with colleagues. Separation from family is more often cited by middle-aged and oldest respondents, long working hours by younger respondents. Family-related difficulties are also more significant for women and for those who have traveled to Poland more than three times. The language barrier is mentioned less often by older respondents and those with repeated work experience in Poland.
• Two thirds never sent money to their families in Ukraine while working in Poland. Another 15% refused to answer this question. Six percent sent up to 500 zlotys per month, 8% sent 500–1,000 zlotys, and 11% sent more than 1,000 zlotys. The more often respondents worked in Poland, the larger the amounts they sent to their families.
• Forty-five percent stated that their monthly living expenses in Poland averaged between 200 and 500 zlotys. Twenty-two percent spent up to 200 zlotys, and 19% more than 500 zlotys. Fifteen percent could not answer.
• The most common additional non-wage benefits offered by employers were accommodation (58%). Thirty-five percent received free meals, 34% transportation to the workplace, and 28% internet access. Thirteen percent received assistance with document preparation for official registration, 12% mobile communication. Seven percent received social benefits (insurance, relocation assistance, etc.), and 5% educational services (Polish language courses or vocational training). Fifteen percent said they were offered nothing beyond wages.
• Among services used while working in Poland, respondents most often used mobile communication (72%). Fifty percent used the internet, 32% television. Thirteen percent used money transfer services, housing search and rental, and banks; 9% insurance services; and 7% private medical care. Other services such as car repair, freight transport, legal services, or car rental were used by no more than 2%. Those who had been to Poland more than three times more often used mobile communication, money transfers, banking services, housing rental, and insurance.
• Half of respondents (52%) generally rate Polish employers as good or very good, 38% gave neutral ratings, and only 8% rated them as bad or very bad. Women, wealthier respondents, and those who had worked in Poland more often rate Polish employers more positively.
• Similar trends are observed in assessments of coworkers: more than half (58%) rated them as good or very good, 36% neutral, and 4% bad or very bad. Wealthier respondents tend to rate coworkers more positively.
• Only 4% stated that they plan to purchase or already own real estate in Poland (mostly those who had worked there more than three times). The vast majority have no such plans (88% said they do not plan to, and 8% did not answer). A similar pattern applies to plans to establish a business or economic activity in Poland: only 3% reported such plans, 89% do not, and 9% could not answer.
• • Sixty-three percent said they plan to go to Poland for work again in the near future, 19% said they do not, and the same share could not answer. The highest share of those planning to return soon is among respondents who had worked in Poland more than three times.
• Seventy-four percent said they do not plan to move to Poland for permanent residence in the next few years. Eleven percent reported such plans, again most often among those who had been to Poland many times.
• Among countries where labor migrants would most like to work, 30% chose Poland, 27% Germany, 22% the United States, 20% Scandinavian countries (Sweden, Norway, Finland, Denmark), 18% the Czech Republic, 13% the United Kingdom, 12% Canada, and 7% each the Netherlands and Belgium. Other countries were chosen by no more than 6%. Poland is more often chosen by older respondents, men, and those with secondary education. The United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and Scandinavian countries are more attractive to respondents with higher education.
• Two thirds of respondents believe that the introduction of a visa-free regime with the European Union has made it easier for Ukrainians to search for jobs and find employment abroad. Only 7% hold the opposite view, while one quarter could not answer. Slightly more positive assessments of the impact of visa-free travel on employment opportunities were recorded among women, people with higher education, and those who had been to Poland no more than once.

A more detailed report on the attitudes of Ukrainian labor migrants in Poland and Polish employers’ views of Ukrainian workers is available on the website of the recruitment company Personnel Service at personnelservice.pl/en/press-office/reports.